Rev. Karl Ernst Lutze

Rev. Karl Ernst Lutze, 94, died May 7, 2015, in Valparaiso, Ind. He was born June 24, 1920, in Sheboygan, Wis., to Charles and Alma Gerbing Lutze. After graduating from Concordia Seminary–St. Louis, he married Esther Peters, who preceded him in death. Rev. Lutze is survived by his wife Gail Jones Lutze, whom he married on September 26, 1996.

Rev. Lutze is further survived by sons Peter Lutze of Valparaiso, Ind., Stephen (Michelle) Lutze of Austin, Texas, Thomas (Abigail Jahiel) Lutze of Normal, Ill., Mark (Hilda Demuth) Lutze of Valparaiso, Ind., stepsons Bradley Blask of Key West, Fla., and Christopher (Donna) Blask of Orlando, Fla., 14 grandchildren, and four granddaughters-in-law.

He taught theology at Valparaiso University from 1959–1991, also serving on the staff of the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America for 21 years. From 1981–1991 he worked as Valparaiso University director of church relations, and in 1992 became the first director of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults.

Rev. Lutze was a founding member of Project Neighbors and served on the boards of PACT (Prisoners and Community Together) and the Lutheran Deaconess Association. He is the author of seven books, including the 2014 publication “Into a Wider World.”

At Valpo, Rev. Lutze received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Lumen Christi Medal (with Esther), and the Andrew Schulze Award. In 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate at Concordia Lutheran University–St. Paul. On May 3, 2015, Rev. Lutze was consecrated as an honorary deacon in the Community of Lutheran Deacons.